Student competition 2025 | RETHINK.Bridge

RETHINK.bridge: Design of a resource-efficient Elbe crossing using the example of the Carola Bridge Dresden

© Stefan Gröschel

Preamble

On September 11, 2024, an unexpected partial collapse of the Carola Bridge occurred in Dresden, causing an approximately 100-metre-long segment of the bridge c to fall into the Elbe. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but this event caused considerable disruption for the people of Dresden. The Carola Bridge was an outstanding engineering structure and one of Dresden's central Elbe crossings and played a crucial role in the city's transportation network. It connected the Old Town with the New Town and was used by thousands of people every day, including motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport such as streetcars. Its strategically favorable location enabled efficient traffic routing and contributed significantly to relieving the burden on the neighboring bridges. Since its collapse, alternative routes have inevitably been used, leading to increased traffic volumes and delays on the other Elbe crossings.

© Stefan Gröschel

Investigations into the cause of the collapse revealed that the successive failure of tendons due to hydrogen-induced stress corrosion cracking was the main cause. The damage process was initiated during the construction period from the late 1960s to 1971 and went unnoticed for decades. Due to the extensive and continued damage, it is not possible to preserve bridge sections a and b, which is why complete demolition of the bridge is unavoidable. With the decision to completely demolish the Carola Bridge, the planning of a new Elbe crossing must also begin.

Aim of the competition

A competition to redesign the Carola Bridge was held back in 1964. The results were publicly exhibited and judged. Around 250 students also gave their opinions on the bridge designs. This competition encouraged innovative approaches and contributed significantly to the design of the structure that was later realized.

In keeping with this tradition, the students themselves will now have the opportunity to contribute their creative and visionary ideas for the new Carola Bridge. We are looking for bold, technically sophisticated, resource-efficient and functional designs that respect both the significance of the location and the history of the crossing while integrating innovative construction methods and technologies. The new bridge should not only meet current and future traffic requirements, but also enrich Dresden's skyline as an architectural landmark. This competition offers a unique opportunity to make a formative contribution to the design of Dresden's cityscape and to continue the tradition of outstanding engineering.

Theme | Task

The task is to design a new Elbe crossing on the site of the collapsed Carola Bridge. The bridge is to connect the two districts of Neustadt and Altstadt for road, bicycle and pedestrian traffic and provide tracks for the streetcars of the Dresden public transport company.

The exact route of the structure can be chosen independently within the boundaries of the existing buildings and taking into account the planned and existing infrastructure. The entire design area extends from Rathenau- to Carolaplatz. Attention must be paid to a sensible connection to the existing network of paths and a suitable integration of the Elbe cycle path running along both sides of the Elbe. The bridge can serve as an impulse generator for the further development of the traffic axis St. Petersburger Straße and Albertstraße-Carolaplatz. Particular attention is drawn to the careful inclusion of the supra-regionally significant surroundings, especially the old town.

The focus of the task lies in the development of a constructively interesting and sensible design. The supporting structure should be designed to be efficient and resource-saving. The choice of materials and the construction method are open, whereby material-appropriate and realistic design approaches are assumed. In addition, high demands must be placed on the construction process, as the navigability of the Elbe as an important international waterway must be guaranteed.

The functional division of the bridge for the individual types of traffic or a possible combination is to be worked out freely. The usable widths to be applied can be sensibly and justifiably adjusted as part of the planning process. Existing development studies by the city of Dresden on the design of the Königsufer and St. Petersburger Straße can be taken into account. The structure and the transition to the banks of the Elbe must be designed to be barrier-free. The bank area below the structure may be freely planned. The entire structure must be provided with adequate and attractive lighting.

The height of the danger zone to be kept clear above the Elbe is 7.875 m and applies to a width of 196 m. This height must be guaranteed. The main span with a length of 120 m should preferably be retained. The necessary substructures are to be erected primarily on the foundations of the previous structures.

© Institut für Massivbau

The following features are given particular consideration by the jury and should therefore be urgently taken into account in the design:

• High material efficiency of the supporting structure with sufficient robustness (principles of "form follows force" and "form follows function")
• Ecological use of resources
• Urban integration into the surroundings
• Height classification in the terrain
• Sensible external development
• Sustainable operation of the bridge
• Design of the bridge
• Construction process taking into account the interests of shipping traffic

Competition documents

In addition to the brief, the following documents will be provided by the competition organizers:

• Template for a declaration of eligibility and copyright (.pdf)
• Photos of the surroundings (.jpg)
• Site plan 1:2,500 - Thematic city map of Dresden (.pdf)
• Site plan 1:5,000 - Themed city map of Dresden (.pdf)
• DTM model of the surrounding area (.dxf)
• Cross-section of the prestressed concrete Carola Bridge (1966-1971) (.pdf)

The documents are available for download at the following link:

• Opal(LINK)

In addition, a digital terrain model is available via a WMS interface at the following link. The WMS data can be displayed using GIS software.

• Opal(LINK)

Dates

The student competition will be announced for the summer semester 2025. The competition documents will be made available to students from 16.04.2025 via Opal(LINK). The following dates are part of the competition:

Further information on consultation opportunities, site visit, jury meeting and award ceremony will be announced in good time before the respective event via Opal(LINK).

Contact us

© Stefan Gröschel

Research Associate

Name

Mr Dipl.-Ing. Jakob Vogt

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Contact Information

Organization Name

Technische Universität Dresden - Institute of concrete structures

Technische Universität Dresden - Institute of concrete structures

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BEY Beyer-Bau, Floor -1, Room S 52 George-Bähr-Str. 1

01069 Dresden

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